Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa underscored the Supreme Court's resolve on January 2 to conclusively address the issue of missing persons and enforced disappearances, and said that it should be solved "once and for all", reports The Express Tribune. However, he cautioned against politicising the matter. "We cannot grant you permission to make the matter political." The hearing was presided over by CJP Isa with Justice Musarrat Hilali and Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar completing the three-member bench. The proceedings were broadcast live on the apex court's website and national news channels. As the hearing commenced, Justice Isa emphasised the importance of collective responsibility, the CJP said “This country belongs to all of us, even those who may have other points of view”. “This matter will only be resolved when we all work together and take responsibility. Let’s make Pakistan strong from within. If Pakistan is strong from within, no outside forces can touch it.”
Petition Khushdil Khan Malik prayed to the court for instructions to the Government to enact legislation on the issue of missing persons. Justice Mazhar stated that a commission related to enforced disappearances has been formed. The petitioner argued that the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances was formed under the chairmanship of Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal, but has not made much headway so far. He further prayed that a notice should be issued to the Government regarding its lack of action in enacting the said legislation. The chief justice observed that the court does not have the authority to order the parliament to enact legislation and inquired under which article of the Constitution can the court take such a step. He maintained that all institutions of the country need to stay within their constitutional limits. Justice Mazhar added that the court does not have the power to legislate and can only declare enacted legislation null and void if they are contrary to the Constitution.